This Facebook Group Is Dedicated To Hilariously Bad Attempts At Photographing Birds (30 New Pics)

We reached out to Kevin Bartram, the founder of the ‘Crap Bird Photography’ and here’s what he had to say about his love for birds and photography. “I've been interested in birds ever since I was a kid. With the advent of digital photography, I decided to take up taking photos of the many birds I see. It became an obsession, it's such a great pastime & you learn so much! You also learn that some of the photos (perhaps more than some!) don't come out so well. Sometimes that camera does not want focus on that bright red robin in the middle of the view! Sometimes the camera only focuses on the bird after it has flown away. You have it in your head how a bird photo should look, the ultimate result is often very different! I thought I'd put some images up on their own Facebook page & the amount of people with the same problem as me soon joined up & the rest is history. Many people who look at birds also have a sense of humor!”

Bartram also added that he loves all animals, “but birds have a particular charm about them. They are smart & in some ways very similar to us, but in other ways very foreign. Of all the animals, they often associate with humans so are familiar, but also can be very cryptic and hard to find. There are so many of them, yet each species shows it's own personality, some birds can be downright annoying! Birds can surprise and amaze us, and we are so lucky to have them as our companions, good or bad in this world. They do so many quirky things & of course they crap where they shouldn't, I just think it's nice that it's only usually small crap & lucky they aren't big mammals, because that would be smellier & look worse!”

Bird photography is a special skill - it takes a lot of time and patience to snap a good shot of them. But don't worry, we've got you covered with some tips & tricks to help you capture the beauty of our feathered friends in an image.

The power of a picture comes from its originality, thus you should aim for unusual behaviors, new subjects, and angles. Wait for the right moment and capture that birdy doing something peculiar. As much as you'd like, don't expect them to pose for the camera. Birds move and they do it constantly, so you have to anticipate that. Try to predict their behaviors, and regulate your camera in a way that captures moving subjects the best. Wildlife photographers spend quite some time studying animals or birds to understand how they behave in different situations.

If you study bird behavior, you'll learn that when chased, they move away. While the temptation to get closer for that perfect shot is strong, it's wiser to allow them to come to you instead. By observing them closely, you can predict their landing, walking, or flying patterns and position yourself in advance. It will ensure a more authentic and intimate photo.

For better photos, make sure to start early and stay until the last light fades. The light right after sunrise and just before sunset enhances colors, with softer shadows and increased bird activity. These golden hours are the perfect time to make the most of your photography.

Perfection in photography isn't necessary; it's all about the process. It has to represent the moment you care about and evoke emotion. Try searching for the most iconic pictures over history. You'll soon find out that they're mostly poor quality, there's a camera motion or the composition is awkward. What makes it special is the feeling you get from it.

Almost simplifies the answer, doesn't it? A perfect picture can stir emotions. But it's not that straightforward. Photography's appeal varies for different people, depending on the aspects or genres they prefer. That's why photography is entirely subjective. Hence, there's no easily defined answer.

We are conditioned to crave certainty, right answers, and doing things the right way. In photography, only the physics part has a right or wrong. Everything else is subjective, making it difficult to determine absolutes.